SEMA_________________________________

SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 620777; Oviedo, FL 32762 Phone: 407-365-5661

SEMA ATTENDEES ACHIEVED MORE

The SEMA convention theme proved true as a T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More). Everyone had a good time while learning, sharing ideas and networking. The convention was off to a great start as the exhibits opened and members were able to meet with their suppliers or meet new suppliers. The exhibitors had two $250.00 cash drawings, with this years winners being Greg Voorhees from Great Western Meats and Clint Goss from Striplings Meat Market. Anyone who attended the exhibits this year went home a winner with new ideas.

President Adam Chernin started the meeting with a welcome and business meeting. After the business meeting, Dr. Loveday from the University of Tennessee took over as the moderator and kept things going. A few of the highlights were; keynote speaker Michael Angelo Caruso, who was a hit with his presentation on Pro-active Communications. Michael is the author of the book “5 Cool Ideas”, which everyone received a copy, thanks to some our members sponsorship. Everyone will be getting or improving their websites after Triality’s, Chris Menard’s presentation. Some of the presenters touched on everyday concerns such as Jeff Chiltons presentation on Intensified Verification Testing; Jerry Murphy’s suggestion on Dealing with Wastewater; Dr. Sally Williams and Larry Eubanks teamed up to bring us marinating, value added and new product cuts. Some SEMA Associate members “TEAM-ed” up to talk about their products and services. Friday evening everyone watched the NASA shuttle lift-off while bidding on items and purchasing raffle tickets to benefit the SEMA scholarships. Ferril Maddox from Encore SE Marketing & Sales won the raffle drawing. To finish the evening, SEMA President Adam Chernin auctioned off the SEMA frog, with the highest bidder being Gene Funkhouser from A.C. Legg Seasoning. Special thanks, to A.C. Legg, for their $1510.00 donation to the scholarship fund.

Moderator Chris Salamone from John R White Co., got Saturday morning started early at breakfast with the table-topics session. Mike Satzow, President of North Country Smokehouse was a great finish for the business session as he shared his business strategies via power-point presentation. Comedian Mark Mayfield had everyone laughing and thinking as he entertained us with his TEAM working and living together routine.

A successful convention is only as good as its attendees. This year’s convention was well attended by people in the industry that wanted to learn, share, network and partner and that is what SEMA is all about. You do not want to miss next year’s convention at The Club at Hammock Beach in Palm Coast, Florida, June 6-7, 2008.

Some comments from this years attendees:

• "I met a lot of people and what a great bunch. I look forward to next year's meeting."
• "I was really impressed with the turnout and hopefully we will see the organization continue to
  grow. Congratulations on another great SEMA convention."
• "I especially like the plant tour and sharing of ideas."
• "Great bunch of people in a great location."

SEMA 2007-2008 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The annual SEMA business meeting was held at the convention, where a new Executive Board of Directors was appointed:

• President–Scott Downing, Lowell Packing Co.
• Vice President-Scott Kelley, Kelley Foods of Alabama
• Treasurer-Wayne Lord, Lord’s Sausage & Country Hams
• Past President Adam Chernin will serve as Chairman of the Board

Chris Huff from Flanders Provision Co. was elected to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Board members reelected are: George Baker-R.L. Ziegler Co., Jimmy Carroll-Sunset Farm Foods, Kevin Crofton-Crofton & Sons, Al Kaempfer- Register Meat Co., David Lee-D.L. Lee & Sons, Ferril Maddox-Encore Sales & Marketing, Billy Nettles-Nettles Sausage Co., Larry Odom-Odom’s Tennessee Pride, David Solana-Roger Wood Foods Inc., Harry Wampler-Family Brand International, Don Wilson-Fieldstone Meats of Alabama, Ron Brown-Cryovac Sealed Air, Gene Funkhouser-A.C. Legg, Inc., Karla Weiszer-Wolfson Casing Corporation.

SEMA SCHOLARSHIPS

At the Friday evening silent auction, SEMA’s four scholarship recipients were each awarded a $1,000.00 scholarship. Congratulations to; Samantha Shellhammer-University of Florida, Katrie McMutrie-Auburn, Josh Irvin-University of Georgia, Chelsea Cooper-University of Tennessee. All have a 3.0 average or better. Recipients worked the silent auction helping to raise money for next year’s scholarship recipients.

Thanks to all our members that donated cash and items to auction. The auction was a success due to their help and to the people purchasing the items. The SEMA frog is auctioned off each year to help raise scholarship money. This year A.C. Legg’s Gene Funkhouser helped up exceed our goal by having the highest bid of $1,510.00. Special thanks, to A.C. Legg Co of Calera, AL for their generous donation.

THE SEMA T-E-A-M WORKING TOGETHER

The sold-out tabletop exhibits were well attended, as it was a great opportunity to see current and meet new suppliers. Thanks to the following Associate members that exhibited:

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THINGS TO PONDER………………
Change . . . . . . . Years ago horses were the transportation,
if you had a car you were considered well off,
today cars are the transportation and the if you have horses . . . . . .
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SEMA CONDOLESENCES

L.E. (Gene) Boynton 63, of Northport AL, passed away June 23, 2007, at his home. His wife of 44 years, Betty Boynton and his daughter Leigh Boynton, of Tuscaloosa, AL, survive Gene. Gene retired from Cryovac, Duncan SC, as a salesman and was a member of SEMA for many years. Gene was held in high regard by his co-workers and customers and will be greatly missed.

REGULATORY EDUCATION SESSION

Small and very small plant owners and operators are invited to join FSIS inspection personnel at regulatory education sessions to bring industry and inspection personnel together to promote a uniform understanding of the regulations. As part of the initiative to enhance outreach to assist small and very small plants outlined in the FSIS strategic implementation plan (PDF Only), FSIS is holding a series of regulatory education sessions. The sessions will include a walk-through of a variety of topics, which may include HACCP, Sanitation performance Standards, Sanitation SOPs, Rules of Practice and Food Defense requirements. To register by phone, call 800-336-3747. Online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp.

Gainesville, GA
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Days Inn Gainesville Hotel 520 Queen City Parkway Gainesville, GA 30501
Hotel Phone: (770) 535-8100
This session will cover Sanitation Performance Standard Regulations and Food Defense

NEW ADMINISTRATOR FOR FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE

Agriculture Secretary, Mike Johanns, announced the appointment of Alfred V Almanza as Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Johanns said "He has a strong record as an FSIS manager for recruiting and training the most qualified individuals in order to improve the safety of FSIS regulated products, and does not hesitate to take swift and strong regulatory action in order to protect public health." Almanza served most recently as the Dallas District Manager, which includes more than 350 federally inspected establishments. A Texas native, Almanza joined FSIS in 1978.

Johanns also thanked Dr. David P. Goldman for outstanding leadership serving as acting FSIS Administrator since January 2007. Dr. Goldman is a Captain in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and will resume his duties as the head of the Office of Public Health Science.

FSIS Notice 35-07

Notice 35-07 was issued on June 14, 2007. It re-emphasizes the need and requirement for annual reassessments to a facility’s HACCP Plan. 9 CFR 417.7(a)(3) states that all facilities are to reassess their HACCP plans at least annually or whenever a change occurs that could affect the hazard analysis or alter its HACCP Plan. In conjunction with this, inspection personnel are to perform the Performance Based Inspection System (PBIS) procedure 03A01 to verify that the facility has done its duty. They are to ensure that the establishment has reassessed each of its HACCP plans sometime within the calendar year. The facility should sign and date each HACCP Plan once they are reassessed. www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISnotices/35-07.pdf. Chilton Consulting Group

FSIS WEB SEMINARS

FSIS web seminars, Controlling E. coli O157:H7-July 19 and Jerky Compliance-August 8
For more information call 800.336.3747 or www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events

SEMA INDUSTRY NEWS

If your company has something they would like to share or information to update please send it in to the SEMA office and we will post it. Example, new salesperson, personnel promotions, expanding your company, etc.

Southeastern Meat Association re-elected its Board of Directors and added Chris Huff from Flanders Provision. Executive officers elected are as follows: Scott Downing – Lowell Packing, Scott Kelley – Kelley Foods of AL and Wayne Lord – Lord’s Sausage & Country Hams.

American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) now has available a Crisis Management & Security Training Manual. SEMA is an AAMP Affiliate member, allowing SEMA processing members to purchase the manual at the AAMP member rate of $35.00. To order a copy, call the AAMP office 717.367.1168.

Stripling's, after receiving a letter from a serviceman, has joined forces with the USO to provide jerky to our troops serving overseas. With the help of donations from their customers, Striplings has pledged $25,000 worth of jerky to be sent for use in care packages. That is 8000 - 2 oz. packages! If you would like to help Striplings reach their goal, give them a call.
To learn more about the USO click on the following link: http://www.uso.org/

Multivac, congratulations on being awarded the Hormel Foods Spirit of Excellence Award

Food Defense Plan is available on the FSIS website is a guide that provides an easy, practical, and achievable three-step method for creating a food defense plan. By completing pages 13 -16 of the guide, you will have a plan specific for your operation. The guide can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov then click on Small and Very Small Plants.

WELCOME NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Pro-Food Sales, Inc
4845 Oak Arbor Dr.
Valdosta, GA 31602
229.241.7177
Gary Vickers
Referred by Billy Nettles, Nettles Sausage Co.

Casing Associates
1120 Close Ave.
Bronx, NY 10472
718.842.7151
Michael Zecchino
Referred by Billy Nettles, Nettles Sausage Co.

World Casing Corp.
47-06 Grand Ave.
Maspeth, NY 11378
281.414.3942
Bill Warren
Referred by Billy Nettles, Nettles Sausage Co.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Companies that invest in employee learning have higher productivity, revenue growth,
and profit growth than companies that do not.